United suffered their third successive defeat at Watford on Sunday and trail Premier League pace-setters City by six points, with just two more league games left until the season's second international fortnight.

Mourinho seemed uncertain over United's formation at the weekend. The team appeared to start in a 4-3-3 system but that changed to 4-2-3-1 for the second-half, amid a growing clamour among supporters for Wayne Rooney to be withdrawn.

Hargreaves, a key member of United's Premier League and Champions League double-winning side in 2007-08, would retain Rooney in his personal best XI up front in a partnership with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan, bought to reinforce United's right wing, is selected as the playmaker in front of a midfield three of Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba.

Anthony Martial does not make Hargreaves' team (Image: BT Sport)

The team, selected before United's loss at Vicarage Road, includes a back four of Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw in front of David de Gea.

United travel to Northampton on Wednesday in what could be a chance for Carrick to return to the side. The 35-year-old has not played since struggling in the Community Shield win over Leicester on August 7. Ander Herrera could also be restored to the line-up after missing out at Watford. Mkhitaryan is currently sidelined through injury.

Smalling made his first domestic start of the campaign at Watford, eight days after Daley Blind's mistake allowed Kevin de Bruyne to give City the lead in the derby.